Klagenfurt and Villach are focusing on microelectronics, AI, drones and sustainability to attract businesses, researchers and know-how to the southernmost Austrian state.

From microelectronics, artificial intelligence, robotics, drones, and sustainable technologies, Carinthia is building an ecosystem in which research, business, and education infrastructures are concentrated around a network of technology parks. At the heart of this model is Bernhard Lamprecht, at the helm of the Lakeside Science & Technology Park of Klagenfurt and theHigh Tech Campus Villach, two complementary hubs of the regional strategy to transform research and scientific skills into applied innovation.

Lamprecht's professional career helps us understand his vision. Trained in the field ofreal estate economy, Real Estate Investment & Finance and Asset and Risk Management, before his assignment in Carinthia he worked in the Bundesimmobiliengesellschaft, also dealing with university projects such as the LIT Open Innovation Center of the Johannes Kepler University of Linz and the Inffeld Campus of the TU Graz. An experience developed around a central issue for innovation ecosystems: creating places where universities, research and businesses can work in direct relationship.

This logic characterizes the technology parks of the Carinthia. In Klagenfurt, the Lakeside Science & Technology Park, located near the university of the same name, brings together companies and research institutions mainly in the field of information and communication technologies, with activities ranging from drones to robotics and artificial intelligence. In Villach the center of gravity shifts towards microelectronics, electronics, mechatronics and sensors, with the presence of Silicon Austria Labs (SAL) and advanced infrastructures such as the large research clean room mentioned by Bernhard, which is also accessible to medium-sized companies for prototypes, small batches, and collaborations with researchers.

The two poles are destined to be joined by the Lavanttal Technology Park in Sankt Paul, oriented to the sustainable technologies and also linked to the territorial opportunities created by the Koralm railway. This creates a polycentric geography of innovation, in which campuses with different specializations share the same goal: strengthening the relationship between research, training and economic activity.

For Lamprecht, however, technological competitiveness does not depend solely on laboratories and scientific infrastructure. In the interview, a second factor emerges: quality of lifeCarinthia is trying to transform its mountains, lakes, safety and location between Austria, Italy and Slovenia into elements capable of attracting businesses and highly skilled workersThis is what is summarized in the concept of

“Work-lake balance”.

The work-life balance also becomes a tool in the international competition for talent.

The availability of skills is in fact crucial in the sectors in which the region is investing: from new materials for chips to the reduction of energy consumption, from drones to robotics, from automation toartificial intelligence and cybersecurity. Infrastructure and investment are needed, but also universities capable of training professionals in line with technological evolution, and a region attractive enough to retain them.

Added to this dimension is the sustainability. the manager mentions Carinthian companies involved in environmental technologies and underlines the need to evaluate materials, infrastructures and processes considering their entire life cycle, including the economic and environmental costs that will emerge decades later.

In conversation with Carinthia.com, Bernhard Lamprecht He describes Carinthia as a network of technology parks, universities, research centres and companies, also connected to neighbouring Styria in the so-called Southern Innovation RegionFrom microelectronics to AI, from drones to green technologies, the underlying theme is the competitiveness of a European territory and its ability to create conditions in which research, businesses and people choose not only to arrive, but also to stay.

How do various technology parks such as the Lakeside Science & Technology Park, the Villach Technology Park, and, in the future, the Lavanttal Technology Park in St. Paul contribute to Carinthia's strength as an innovation hub?

Our technology parks create the best possible working conditions for local companies, research organizations, and employees, providing an environment where diverse entities can work closely together. Clear objectives and dedicated priorities allow for the creation of synergies that accelerate the innovation process and facilitate collaboration between the various stakeholders in the area. When people meet on campus, it's almost natural to exchange ideas, compare experiences, and ensure that these connections can spark new initiatives. As sponsoring organizations, whether at Lakeside Park, TPV, or in the future also at St. Paul's, we have set ourselves the goal of ensuring this interconnection and promoting innovation projects in specific areas. The goal is to create the conditions for companies and researchers to continuously connect and more quickly transform ideas and expertise into concrete projects.

What infrastructure and resources are available to Carinthian companies to grow successfully?

"In addition to technology parks, there are research organizations and clusters that actively support companies and provide them with expertise and collaboration opportunities. In Carinthia, for example, we are closely linked with Styria, within the Southern Innovation Region, so companies can benefit from additional resources, knowledge, and expertise that transcend regional borders. We are also committed to creating the best possible research conditions and making advanced infrastructure available to the production system. One particularly interesting feature is Austria's largest research cleanroom in the TPV, operated by Silicon Austria Labs SAL. It also allows medium-sized companies to produce prototypes and small batches while collaborating directly with leading researchers. For companies, this means access to infrastructure and knowledge that they would otherwise have difficulty developing independently: a clear location advantage.

What else characterizes Carinthia as a location and distinguishes it from other European technology and research centers?

"Beyond the technical components and research infrastructure, it's above all the work and living spaces we can offer. When I look out the window at Lakeside Park, I see a workspace surrounded by greenery, where the professional environment seamlessly integrates with the surrounding landscape. A former student and now employee of one of the companies headquartered here described Lakeside Park as 'the best and most beautiful workplace I've ever had.' It's a comment that perfectly captures an important characteristic of our region. I firmly believe that Carinthia has a lot to offer as a region, and this is increasingly important today, especially when it comes to attracting researchers and skilled workers. In addition to excellent educational and research organizations, here you can drink tap water, quickly reach mountains and lakes, and even be close to the sea. This means that here, cutting-edge research meets an environment with lakes, mountains, and high environmental quality: a living and working environment that can be an important asset for researchers from all over the world.

Which technologies and developments are currently in high demand and particularly relevant in Carinthia's various technology parks?

Villach is well established in the microelectronics sector and has consolidated expertise in this field. Building on local industry giants like Infineon and SAL, many things are being done that will make our lives easier in the future and contribute to the development of technologies for the coming years. The company is actively researching new materials for chip production, also to ensure its future independence from other countries, while simultaneously striving to reduce energy consumption and optimize existing processes. One of the main focuses of Lakeside Park is drone research at the University of Klagenfurt, a field in which we are undoubtedly among the leaders and where highly advanced expertise is being developed. In the field of robotics, Joanneum Research is working intensively on solutions for automation and increased productivity, thus addressing topics that directly impact businesses. Fraunhofer KI4LIFE has also established itself as a center for applied research in artificial intelligence, further strengthening the expertise present in the region. There is also strong support from the education system, which must support these technological developments by developing the necessary skills. Carinthian universities consistently respond with a wide range of programs, as can be seen, for example, in the Robotics and Artificial Intelligence or Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity programs. This way, research, education, and technological development can proceed in parallel and support each other.

What opportunities do sustainable technologies and green innovations offer Carinthian companies?

From SW Umwelttechnik to Go-E and VUM Verfahren Umwelt Management GmbH, headquartered in Lakeside Park, many companies in the region are active in the field of sustainability and committed to developing solutions with a long-term perspective. In Carinthia, the focus isn't always on the most economical solution in the short term, but rather on the most ecologically sensible one, which can often also bring significant long-term economic benefits. Indeed, the entire life cycle of the solutions adopted must be considered. For example, how will certain building materials be managed in 20 or 30 years if we already know today that their disposal will be extremely expensive? These are issues that must be considered from the beginning, not just at the end of the process. As thought leaders, we want to set a good example, promoting a responsible and forward-thinking approach, and we are consequently also supported by politicians.

In your opinion, what are the three most important reasons why companies should choose Carinthia as an innovation location?

In Carinthia, we like to talk about the so-called 'Work-Lake Balance,' which is a playful way of expressing the right balance between work and leisure. Nearby mountains and lakes, a soothing atmosphere, and a relaxed mentality are all factors that can significantly impact the quality of daily life and tip the scales in favor of settling in Carinthia. For those who work and live here, the ability to balance work and leisure is certainly an important factor. Secondly, and the high quality of life directly contributes to this, companies can still find well-trained workers and skills suited to their needs here. And thirdly, we in Carinthia enjoy a particularly favorable strategic location. Austrian metropolises like Graz and Vienna, as well as Northern Italy and Slovenia, are within easy reach. This central location, at the crossroads of several European economic regions, is highly valued, especially for developing and maintaining international trade relations.

What would you like to say to Austrian and foreign companies considering choosing Carinthia as a research and development location?

I believe that Carinthia stands out for its exciting research infrastructure and the ability to forge very close connections between various innovation players. The region's companies, universities, and research organizations work closely together, facilitating the exchange of expertise and the development of collaborations. Furthermore, the high quality of life is a tangible advantage and can become a decisive factor, especially when companies need to attract international employees. For example, we're seeing that Carinthia is particularly attractive to skilled workers from Germany. Here they can find a more favorable cost of living than in Munich or Berlin, but at the same time a high level of security, a close connection to nature, and a family atmosphere. These are factors that can significantly influence their choice of place to live and work. Politicians also actively support international specialists and their integration into the region: a further clear advantage for the location.

Carinthia, the new innovation ecosystem between research and industry

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